Life
Born in 1694, Augustine was only four years old when his father died. He inherited about 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) on Bridges Creek in Westmoreland County; his sister Mildred inherited what was called the Little Hunting Creek property; they both inherited slaves.
When Washington came of age (and into his inheritance) in 1715, he married Jane Butler, an orphan, who had inherited about 640 acres (2.6 km2) from her father. The young couple settled on the Bridges Creek property. In 1718, Washington purchased land on Popes Creek, abridging his property on Bridges Creek. About 1726, he had a new house built there (later called Wakefield) with the help of slave labor and fine craftsmen. In the same year, he purchased the Little Hunting Creek property from his sister Mildred.
In addition to his work supervising overseers and slave labor as a tobacco planter, Washington was active in the Anglican Church and in local politics. He took the oath as justice of the peace for the county court in July 1716, and served as county sheriff.
Washington and his first wife Jane Butler had four children, only two of whom (Lawrence and Augustine, Jr.) lived to adulthood.
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a great man’s memory may outlive his life half a year.”
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